A high school freshman suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy was left awestruck after he received a gift of lifetime from his mother.
Andrew Palmer, 14, lives with a progressive neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness, breathing difficulties and heart problems.
Due to this, the young teenager is unable to walk on his own legs and requires external support as well as assistance from his mother, Katherine Palmer and stepfather, Josh Powell.
But this summer, Andrew was surprised with a new power wheelchair – a donation from ICAN of Arkansas, an assistive technology program.
Andrew Palmer, 14, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy was left awestruck after he received a gift of lifetime from his mother
In an Instagram video, Josh is seen carrying Andrew into their Arkansas home and gently lowering him onto the new chair.
As he realizes that he is sitting in a brand new wheelchair, the tearful teenager can be heard telling his mother: ‘I love you so much, Mom. I can do stuff by myself now.’
While talking to HelpHopeLive, he further said: ‘I felt so excited and grateful. Before we got the chair, I didn’t have a way to get myself around in our house—my mom and stepdad had to do everything for me.
‘Now, I can do a lot more for myself. I can move room to room without asking for and waiting for help.’
The video, which has garnered nearly 17 million views, was captioned: ‘Somebody got a HUGE surprise today! For the first time ever, he has a power chair inside the house! He’s been in a manual and unable to move himself around at home for years.’
In an Instagram video, the tearful teenager can be heard telling his mother: ‘I love you so much, Mom. I can do stuff by myself now’
Due to his condition, the young teenager is unable to walk on his own legs and requires external support as well as assistance from his mother, Katherine Palmer and stepfather, Josh Powell
Since their duplex has a steep set of stairs leading up to the front door, it was impossible for either of the family members to bring the heavy wheelchair inside their abode – forcing Andrew to use a mechanical wheelchair despite deteriorating muscle strength
Before receiving his new chair, Andrew only had a 460-pound power chair that he used outside of their duplex and in school.
Since the building has a steep set of stairs leading up to the front door, it was impossible for either of the family members to bring the heavy wheelchair inside their abode – forcing Andrew to use a mechanical wheelchair despite deteriorating muscle strength.
‘The smaller power chairs that are available are not covered by insurance and are several thousands of dollars out of pocket. We are not wealthy people,’ Katherine told the medical fundraising publication.
But with the help of an organization called I-Can of Arkansas where people can donate used medical equipment, the hopeful mother was able to buy a new powerchair.
Before receiving his new chair, Andrew only had a 460-pound power chair that he used outside of their duplex and in school
Andrew had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 19 months old
‘I scan through the inventory every now and then to see if they have anything Andrew needs. I came across this power chair and wasn’t sure if it would be the correct size for him or if we could even get it into the house, but I went ahead and put in a request for it. The request was accepted on the same day.
‘Two days later, Andrew’s stepdad, Josh, and I picked it up. We spent two hours pushing, pulling, ratcheting, and sweating our way into getting the power chair inside,’ she said.
Andrew had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 19 months old.
The condition is an inherited disorder of progressive muscular weakness that is most commonly seen in boys.
Symptoms include frequent falls, trouble getting up or running, waddling gait, big calves and learning disabilities.
There is no cure, but physical therapy and medications, such as corticosteroids, can help control symptoms and improve quality of life.